DECEMBER 2, 2003

Jaguar Racing confirms Klien

Jaguar Racing has confirmed that Austria's Christian Klien will be Mark Webber's team mate for the 2004 Formula One season. Klien begins testing today at a three-day test at the Circuit de Catalunya. Klien drove an F1 car for the first time only a week ago at Valencia but impressed the team greatly.

"Christian was in as much control of himself as he was the car" said David Pitchforth, Managing Director, Jaguar Racing. "He was extremely calm, composed and didn't seem remotely fazed by his first ever experience with a Formula 1 car. His technical feedback was excellent and there is no doubt in our minds about the potential of this exciting new young talent. He worked very well with the race engineers and demonstrated increasing speed as he became familiar with the car. Christian's professionalism and brain bandwidth are also very impressive and combined with his application, our decision to employ him as a race driver was based on merit, potential and speed."

Klien says that he is "the happiest man on earth".

The announcement means that there is no room in the team for Justin Wilson.

"I cannot thank Justin enough for his hard work and commitment since joining us after the British Grand Prix," said Pitchforth. "Justin's speed, focus and experience are exemplary and our decision to put Christian in the race car in no way reflects upon Justin's clear ability as a competitive racing driver. We are, however, in discussions with Justin about how Jaguar Racing can help with his future career."

The problem is that according to the latest set of rules Wilson cannot be a test driver for Jaguar on Friday's at races as he has too much recent racing experience.